City of Santa Monica
City Council Meeting
AGENDA
LANA NEGRETE
MAYOR
ELLIS RASKIN CAROLINE TOROSIS
COUNCILMEMBER MAYOR PRO TEM
DAN HALL BARRY SNELL
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
JESSE ZWICK NATALYA ZERNITSKAYA
COUNCILMEMBER COUNCILMEMBER
ELAINE POLACHEK
INTERIM CITY MANAGER
DOUGLAS SLOAN
CITY ATTORNEY
NIKIMA NEWSOME
CITY CLERK
STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR THAT PROMOTE CIVILITY AT ALL PUBLIC MEETINGS:
• Treat everyone courteously; • Embrace respectful disagreement and dissent as democratic rights, inherent components of an inclusive
public process, and tools for forging sound decisions
• Hate has no place in Santa Monica. The City opposes
abusive or threatening hate speech, intolerance, or
dehumanization, and supports basic civil respect and
human decency.
• Listen to others respectfully;
• Exercise self-control;
• Give open-minded consideration
to all viewpoints;
• Focus on the issues and avoid
personalizing debate;
Regular meetings are broadcast live on CityTV cable channel 16 and on the internet at santamonica.gov. Cable television re-broadcasts air on Thursday and Saturday at 11:30 AM. The agenda will air on CityTV on Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM and 6:00 PM, and on Monday and Tuesday at 12:30 PM and 6:00 PM.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 2
RULES OF ORDER FOR THE CONDUCT OF CITY COUNCIL MEETINGS (Resolution No.11642(CCS))
WAYS TO PROVIDE PUBLIC COMMENT
If you are interested in providing public comment at a City Council meeting, there are several ways to participate:
(1) Written public comment. In lieu of oral public comment, the public is strongly encouraged to submit written public comment on agenda items via email to [email protected]. For written public comment submitted by 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting, best efforts shall be made to have them available online for viewing. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
(2) Oral public comment. Persons wishing to address the City Council regarding items on the agenda must be present and submit their name and address (optional) to the City Clerk before the public comment section is opened for that item or before the public hearing is opened where one is required by law. Register to speak at the Speaker Kiosk prior to the meeting. Remarks from the public are limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes and a minimum of one minute per item. Except for the author of the request, public comment on 15-items are limited to 1 minute. Except on Public Input, speakers appearing at the meeting in person, may donate 2 minutes to another person present in-person at the meeting, who may speak for a total of 4 minutes on that item.
Both the donor of time and the designated speaker must register at the Speaker Kiosk in person together.
Oral public comment from any one individual is limited to a total of 6 minutes per City Council meeting, with a maximum of 2 minutes per agenda item; under some circumstances, Council may change the maximum to 1 minute per agenda item.
Levine Act Disclosure. Pursuant to the Levine Act (Govt Code Section 84308), any party to a permit, license, contract, or other entitlement before the Council is required to disclose on the record any contribution, including aggregated contributions, of more than $500 made by the party or the party's agents within the preceding 12 months to any City official. Participants and agents are requested to make this disclosure as well. The disclosure must include the name of the party, participant, or agent, and any other person making the contribution; the name of the recipient, the amount of the contribution, and the date the contribution was made. Information regarding the Levine Act can be found here or you can contact the FPPC.
ORDER OF BUSINESS (may not be changed except by majority vote of the City Council.)
1. General Public Input
(members of the public may address the City Council
only on items not on the agenda, but within the
subject matter jurisdiction of the City).
2. Public Comment for Special Agenda Items, Consent
Calendar and Closed Sessions Only.
3. Special Agenda Items (Commendations and
Proclamations presented).
4. Consent Calendar (All items considered in one
motion unless removed by a City Councilmember for
discussion. Public comment shall be heard prior
to City Council discussion).
5. Closed Sessions.
6. Public Comment on remaining Agenda Items
7. Study Session.
8. Continued Items.
9. Administrative Proceedings.
10. Ordinances:
• 1
st Reading
• 2
nd Reading
11. Staff Administrative Item.
12. Public Hearings.
13. Reports of Boards and Commissions.
14. Resolutions.
15. Written Communications (other than
Reports of Commission and Officers).
16. Councilmember Discussion Items.
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 3
AGENDAS
CITY OF SANTA MONICA
REGULAR MEETING
.CITY HALL COUNCIL CHAMBERS.
1685 MAIN STREET, ROOM 250, SANTA
MONICA, CA AND, AT A TELECONFERENCE
SITES IN TEXAS AND DC
TUESDAY, MARCH 11, 2025
MEETING BEGINS AT 5:30 PM (PDT) AND
AT TELECONFERENCE SITES AT 7:30 PM (CDT) AND 8:30 PM (EDT) The Santa Monica City Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, at 5:30 P.M. (Pacific Daylight Time) in the City Council Chambers, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, California 90401, and at 7:30 P.M. (Central Daylight Time) at a teleconference site located at Omni PGA Frisco Resort, 4341 PGA Parkway, Frisco, Texas 75033, and at 8:30 P.M. (Eastern Daylight Time) at a teleconference site located at Arlo Hotel, 333 G Street NW, Washington, DC 20001, where two of the Councilmembers will be present and will participate via teleconference.
HOW TO PROVIDE WRITTEN PUBLIC COMMENT:
Written public comment can be submitted via email to [email protected].
Written comments received prior to 12:00 pm on the day of the meeting will be available online. Please note the agenda item number in the subject line of your written comments.
CALL TO ORDER
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE / LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
ROLL CALL
City of Santa Monica Statement of Accountability (Land Acknowledgement) The City of Santa Monica is located on the land of Tovangaar. With great respect, the City acknowledges the Gabrieleño/Tongva as the First People of this ancestral and unceded territory of Kuruvungna, a village that we know as Santa Monica. We honor their elders, past and present, and the Gabrieleño descendants who are part of the Gabrieleño /Tongva tribes.
We recognize that these peoples are still here, and as settlers and kuyam (guests), we recognize our responsibility and obligation to care for their land in partnership with them.
The City of Santa Monica commits to work in partnership with the Gabrieleño/Tongva people to uplift their voices and visibility on their ancestral land.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 4
LEVINE ACT DISCLOSURES AND ANNOUNCEMENTS / PROCEDURAL
MOTIONS
1. PUBLIC INPUT
(Public comment is permitted only on items not on the agenda that are within the subject matter jurisdiction of the City. State law prohibits the City Council from taking any action on items not listed on the agenda, including issues raised under this agenda item.) . Written Comments
2. PUBLIC INPUT (ITEMS UNDER SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS, CONSENT
CALENDAR, CLOSED SESSION ONLY)
3. SPECIAL AGENDA ITEMS
3.A. Commendation: Dr. Lizzy Moore - Santa Monica College Foundation
4. CONSENT CALENDAR
(All items will be considered and approved in one motion unless removed by a Councilmember for discussion. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption.)
4.A. Approval of Department of Transportation's Big Blue Bus Service Design Guidelines Update
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the Guidelines updates is not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Approve the proposed updates to the Big Blue Bus Transit Service Guidelines, formerly known as the “Big Blue Bus Service Design, Performance, and Evaluation Guidelines”.
4.B. Award Request for Proposal SP2721 and Agreements for On-Call Civil Engineering Design Services
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of exemptions pursuant to Section 15262 and Section 15061(b)(3) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award RFP #SP2721 On-Call Civil Design to Tetra Tech, Inc., Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., and Willdan Engineering to provide on-call civil engineering design services for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute agreements with Tetra Tech, Inc., Stantec Consulting Services, Inc., and Willdan Engineering, each in an amount not to exceed $1,500,000 over a five-year period, with one (1) City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 5 five-year renewal option to extend in the amount of $1,500,000 on the same terms and conditions, for a total amount not to exceed $3,000,000 per agreement and $9,000,000 total for all three agreements over a ten-year period, with future year funding contingent on Council budget approval.
4.C. Award Bid SP2744 and Construction Contract for the Police Department Smart Center Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Replacement/Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award contract for Bid #SP2744 to Urban Professional Builders, INC. for the construction of the SMART Center Project for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Urban Professional Builders, INC., in an amount not to exceed $1,290,000 (including a $76,000 contingency).
4.D. Award Bid SP2739 and Agreement to Best Contracting Services, Inc. for the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant Roof Replacement Project
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemptions pursuant to Sections 15301 (Existing Facilities) and 15302 (Replacement/Reconstruction) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #SP2739 to Best Contracting Services, Inc. for the Arcadia Water Treatment Plant (WTP) Roof Replacement Project for the Public Works Department; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute an agreement with Best Contracting Services, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $310,000 (including a 20% contingency).
4.E. Award Bid SP2710 and Construction Agreement to RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for Phase 1 of the 19th Street Community Garden Project
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 6 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15304 (Minor Alterations to Land) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines;
2. Award Bid #SP2710 to RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. for construction services for Phase 1 of the 19th Street Community Garden Project for the Department of Public Works; and
3. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with RAMCO General Engineering Contractors, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $355,000 (including a 10% contingency).
4.F. Adoption of Resolution Authorizing Receipt of State of California Cannabis Equity Grant Funding for $35,000 for Development of a Cannabis Equity Program and Authorization for City Manager to Execute All Necessary Associated Documents
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Adopt the attached resolution authorizing the acceptance of a grant awarded in the amount of $35,000 from the Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development for the Cannabis Equity Grants Program for Local Jurisdictions.
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant and all grant renewals.
4. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
4.G. Adoption of Salary Resolution to Reflect Title Change for Assistant Building Officer
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding of Categorical Exemption pursuant to Section 15324 and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Qua lity Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
2. Adopt a salary resolution changing the classification title of Assistant Building Officer to Assistant Building Official.
4.H. Approval of Corrected Minutes for the City Council Meeting of May 14, 2024 Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the corrected minutes of the May 14, 2024 meeting.
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 7
4.I. Second Reading and Adoption of an Ordinance to Amend Santa Monica Municipal Code Section 4.08.095, Prohibition Against Camping in Public Places
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt the attached Ordinance.
4.J. Approval of City Attorney Amended and Restated Employment Agreement Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council
1. Adopt a finding that the actions are not a “project” subject to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15601(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the CEQA Guidelines;
2. Approve the Amended and Restated Employment Agreement with Douglas Sloan for his services as City Attorney; and
3. Authorize the Mayor to sign the agreement on behalf of the City.
4.K. Adoption of Resolution Amending the Council Rules of Procedure Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council adopt resolution amending the Council Rules of Procedure to address technological failure during public comment, and a change to the ranked choice voting process.
4.L. City Council - Regular Meeting - Feb 25, 2025 5:30 PM
5. CLOSED SESSIONS
5.A. Public employee appointment - Gov. Code § 54957(b): consider public employee appointment; title: City Manager; Gov. Code § 54957.6: conference with labor negotiator; City negotiator: Mayor/Personnel Director; unrepresented employee: City Manager
5.B. Conference with labor negotiator – Gov. Code § 54957.6: agency designated representatives: Interim City Manager Elaine Polachek, Human Resources Director Dana Brown, and Human Resources Manager Sarah Rebensdorf; bargaining units: Administrative Team Associates (ATA), AFSCME Local 4819- Management Team Association (MTA), California Teamsters Local 911 (IBT), Municipal Employees Association (MEA), Public Attorney’s Legal Support Staff Union (PALSSU), Public Attorney’s Union (PAU), Santa Monica Fire Executive Management Association (FEMA), Santa Monica Firefighters Local 1109 (LOCAL 1109), Police Officers Association (POA), Supervisory Team Association (STA) and SMART TD - International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers - Transportation Division, Local 1785 (SMART TD)
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 8
5.C. Conference with real estate negotiator pursuant to Government Code § 54956.8: Property: 1855 Main Street, Santa Monica, California (Civic Auditorium) (APN 4290-013-901); City Negotiators: Jennifer Taylor, Economic Development Manager, and Nia Tang, Economic Development Administrator; Owner of Record: City of Santa Monica; Persons to be negotiated with: Tim Sexton, Revitalization Partner Group, LLC; Under negotiation: Price and terms of payment for lease
5.D. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1):
Pico Neighborhood Association and Maria Loya v. City; LASC # BC616804
5.E. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1):
Victoria Lobanov v. City; LASC # 22SMCV02779
5.F. Conference with legal counsel - existing litigation - Gov. Code § 54956.9(d)(1):
Renee Miller v. City; LASC # 24SMCV00279
The following is the order of business for items to be heard no earlier than 7:00 p.m.
CITY MANAGER REPORT
. Presentation
TRAVEL ANNOUNCEMENT AND MAYOR'S HIGHLIGHT
6. PUBLIC INPUT ON REMAINING AGENDA ITEMS
7. STUDY SESSION
No items
8. CONTINUED ITEMS
No items
9. ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS
No items
10. ORDINANCES
(Public comment is permitted on ordinances for introduction and first reading. No public discussion is permitted on ordinances for second reading and adoption. In accordance with Charter section 615, the adoption of all ordinances and resolutions shall be by reading of title only unless a Councilmember present dissents.)
No items
11. STAFF ADMINISTRATIVE ITEMS
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 9
11.A. Receive Homelessness Strategic Plan and Renters' Protections Program, Approval of Human Services Division Reorganization Plan and Adoption of Classification and Salary Resolution
Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Receive the City of Santa Monica Homelessness Strategic Plan 2025-2030. (Attachment A)
2. Receive the Renters’ Protections Program: Analysis, Key Findings, and Recommendations. (Attachment B)
3. Approve the Human Services Division Reorganization Plan.
4. Adopt a Resolution of the City of Santa Monica establishing new classifications and adopting salary rates for various listed positions (Attachment C) and approve the position and classification changes (Attachment D).
5. Adopt the 2025 Proclamation Declaring a Local Emergency on Homelessness through 12/31/2026 (Attachment E), unless repealed or extended by Council, due to the ongoing crisis of homelessness exacerbated by the recent wildfires.
6. Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
7. Adopt a finding of no possibility of significant effect pursuant to Section 15061(b)(3) (Common Sense Exemption) of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines.
12. PUBLIC HEARINGS
No items
13. REPORTS OF BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS
No items
14. RESOLUTIONS
No items
15. WRITTEN COMMUNICATIONS OTHER THAN REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND
OFFICERS
No items
16. COUNCILMEMBER DISCUSSION ITEMS
16.A. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Recreation and Parks Commission for a term ending on June 30, 2028.
16.B. Appointment to one unscheduled vacancy on the Housing Authority Board for a term ending on June 30, 2026. (Continued from 6/25/2024) City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 10
16.C. Request of Councilmembers Zwick and Snell that the City Council direct the City Manager and City Attorney to advance curbside management measures that would reduce congestion, enhance safety, and mitigate double parking.
These measures should include drafting an ordinance for City Council consideration that would establish a legal framework and fee schedule for a smart loading zone pilot program, exploring a public-private partnership for curb management incorporating available technology, and presenting options and tradeoffs to Council for consideration.
16.D. Request of Mayor Negrete that the City Council approve the use of up to $300 of her allocated travel budget for travel to and from Sacramento on March 3, 2025. The travel occurred as a result of an invitation by Assemblymember Rick Zbur to meet with Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas to discuss the impacts the fires have had on our small businesses and local economy. Mayor Negrete met with other legislators and their staff, including consultants to the Assembly Budget and Assembly Judiciary Committees to discuss both the economic impacts of the fires and also concerns about the financial viability of public agencies facing a rising number of civil claims from decades-old abuse cases.
16.E. Request of Councilmember Zwick and Mayor Negrete that the City Council appoint five of its members to cast votes in the upcoming Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Regional Council Election for District #41 Representative. The election was previously scheduled for February 13th but was postponed to March 19th, 2025. District #41 includes Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica and West Hollywood, with each City allowed to have 5 Councilmembers cast votes in the election.
16.F. Request of Councilmembers Hall and Zernitskaya that the City Council approve City Sponsorship of the LGBTQ+ SaMo Pride community festival on June 21, 2025 and the Santa Monica Pier Pride Event taking place on June 22, 2025 and using $10,000 in previously allocated Council discretionary funds to sponsor the LGBTQ+ Story-echtomy Writing Workshop and Performance Night produced by Crow Comedy, a Santa Monica non-profit, from the FY2024- 2025 Budget.
16.G. Mayor Pro Tem Torosis, and Councilmembers Raskin and Hall request that the City Attorney, in coordination with the Rent Control Board, draft and present to Council for adoption within 60 days, an ordinance banning the use of algorithmic rental price-fixing software in Santa Monica and which includes enforceable penalties for noncompliance.
16.H. Request of Councilmembers Hall, Zwick, and Mayor Pro Tempore Torosis that in order to examine the City’s historical preservation through the lens of social justice, the Council direct Staff to return with options to implement additional recommendations from the Landmarks Commission report “A Place for Everyone in Santa Monica’s History."
City of Santa Monica Generated: 3/12/2025 10:15 AM Page 11
16.I. Request of Mayor Negrete that the City Council approve City sponsorship of a Community March & Resource Fair organized by Homies Unidos and others.
The march will begin at Santa Monica College to the Pier culminating in a community Resource Fair. The event will take place March 22, 2025, with City Council directing the City Manager to waive the City’s portion of fees for use of the Pier. City fees related to the Community March & Resource Fair include the application, administrative, neighborhood notification, business license, parking, and zero waste plan fees associated with the use of the Pier.
ADJOURNMENT
Agendas and reports are accessible on the City's webpage at www.smgov.net/council/agendas. They are also available at the City Clerk's Office and in alternate formats upon request. For a free email subscription to the City Council Agendas, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or [email protected].
Members of the public unable to attend a meeting but wishing to comment on an item(s) listed on the agenda may submit written comments prior to the meeting by meeting by mailing them to: City Clerk, 1685 Main Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401 or to [email protected]. Written comments received from the public by 12 PM on the day of the City Council meeting will be distributed to the City Council prior to the meeting and posted online. Members of the public who submit written public comment on an agenda item may be subject to the Levine Act which requires disclosure of campaign contributions of more than $500 to an officer of the City within the preceding 12 months.
City Hall and the Council Chambers are wheelchair accessible. If you require any special disability related accommodations to either attend or provide public testimony at a Council meeting (i.e. sign language interpreting, access to an amplified sound system, remote option, etc.), please contact the City Clerk’s Office at (310) 458-8211 or TDD: (310) 917- 6626 or via email at [email protected] at least 72 hours prior to the scheduled meeting. Best efforts shall be made to accommodate requests received after the 72-hour deadline. In the case of special meetings, requests should be submitted as early as possible, but no later than noon the day of the special Council meeting.
Si desea comunicarse con alguien en español, llame a nuestra oficina al (310) 458-8211 y pida hablar con Esterlina Lugo.
Santa Monica Blue Bus Lines #1, #2, #3, #5, #9 and the EXPO Line serve City Hall.
Parking is available on Main Street, on Olympic Drive, and in the Civic Center Parking Structure (validation free).